17β-methoxycarbonyl-4-aza-androsten-1-en-3-ones

Abstract

17 beta -Acyl-4-aza-5 alpha -androst-1-in-3-ones of the formula: <IMAGE> I wherein R is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl R2 is methoxy, a monovalent radical selected from straight and branched chain alkyl of from 1-12 carbons, or monocyclic aryl optionally containing 1 or more lower alkyl substituents of from 1-2 carbon atoms and/or 1 or more halo (Cl or Br) substituents, aralkyl selected from benzyl and phenethyl and heterocyclic selected from 2- or 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 2-furyl or thiophenyl; and R', R'' and R''' are each selected from hydrogen and methyl and pharmaceutical formulations of the above compounds are active as testosterone 5 alpha -reductase inhibitors and thus are useful for treatment of acne, seborrhea, female hirsutism, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound of the formula: ##STR9## wherein R is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl; R' is methyl; and R" and R'" are each selected from hydrogen and methyl. 
     
     
       2. A compound of claim 1, wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R" and R'" are hydrogen. 
     
     
       3. A compound of claim 2 which is 17β-methoxycarbonyl-4-aza-5α-androst -1-en-one. 
     
     
       4. A compound of claim 2 which is 17β-methoxycarbonyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5α-androst-1-en-3-one.